MLB Player News

Jim Callis of MLB.com reports that Hjerpe will receive a $3,182,200 signing bonus -- which is the full slot value for the 22nd selection in the draft. While his overall ceiling isn’t as high as other collegiate hurlers selected in the first round, Hjerpe should be one of the first from this draft class to reach the big leagues.

The fascinating thing about T-Mobile Park in Seattle is how it’s a terrible park for offense yet a perfectly fine one for homers. There were four hit in tonight’s game, none of which would have been out in more than half of MLB’s parks. Lowe’s opposite field shot in the seventh was projected at 349 feet and would have been a homer in exactly six ballparks. That homer brought the Rangers to within two runs. Lowe then had the go-ahead hit in a three-run eighth inning on what, in our humble opinion, was an obvious error from second baseman Jorge Polanco. Lowe is batting .375/.500/.594 through 11 games this month.

Rocker’s slider was outstanding, producing 13 missed swings the 33 times he threw it. None of the three balls in play against it were hit harder than 84 mph. He needed a season-high 74 pitches to get through four innings, so the victory was never in play. Still, he definitely met expectations and demonstrated how he could become a force in fantasy leagues next year. He might start again versus the Jays or Mariners next week.

Since taking his first blown save on Aug. 18, Yates has made 11 appearances that have resulted in nine saves and two wins. His ERA is back down to 1.27 for the year.

A Josh Jung homer was the only damage. Miller left with a three-run lead, only to watch it get blown in a 5-4 loss. He’ll carry an 11-8 record and a 3.12 ERA into his next start against the Yankees.

Robles is putting Seattle’s offense on his back, yet it just isn’t enough. He’s hit .324/.394/.465 in 64 games since the Mariners plucked him off the scrap heap. If only anyone else could follow his lead, his acquisition would go down as one of the best in-season pickups in decades.

Montas struck out eight and walked two in a game that was still scoreless when he threw his last pitch. Fortunately for him, the Brewers scored a run in the top of the seventh on a walk and three wild pitches from Camilo Doval (with some help from a pretty immobile Curt Casali behind the plate). They then added two insurance runs in the eighth, which is all that kept this from being the fifth straight one-run game that Montas was involved in. Montas got the win, so he is 3-2 with a 3.40 ERA in eight starts since being picked up from the Reds. He’ll face the Phillies in his lone start next week, making him a subpar play.

Williams turned in an eighth straight scoreless appearance despite giving up a pair of hits. He did throw 18 pitches tonight after throwing 21 on Tuesday, so it’s not certainty that he’ll be available Friday. Trevor Megill, who struck out the side in the eighth tonight, would likely be the alternative if a save chance arises.

The 12 balls on play against Birdsong averaged 97.2 mph, yet he allowed just two hits to the 17 batters he faced while completing five innings for the first time in seven starts. As for how Birdsong might fair against the Orioles next time out, the Audubon Society probably has a better idea than we do.

The Giants are putting Bivens to work; he started Sunday on three days’ rest after a relief appearance and now pitched in relief on three days’ rest tonight. It had looked like he’d probably start Sunday against the Padres, but we assume that’s off the table now. Perhaps he will pitch then as part of a bullpen game.

20 homers and 20 steals at age 20. He’s the youngest player to pull off that particular feat; Mike Trout and Vada Pinson also did so in their age-20 seasons, but they were both months older than Chourio. Really, though, the steals are incidental. Chourio is the 21st player to hit 20 homers at age 20 or younger. The other active players to do it are Trout, Giancarlo Stanton, Juan Soto, Ronald Acuña Jr., Bryce Harper, Carlos Correa and Fernando Tatis Jr.